Flush-tank and siphon



(No Model.)

B. VAN VRANKEN.

PLUSH TANK AND SIPHON.

No. 340,836. Patented Apr. 27, 1886.

6 v, 1 ci I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN VAN VRANKEN, OF SOHENE O'IADY, NEWV YORK.

FLUSH-TANK AND SIPHON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,836, dated April 27 1886.

Application filed December-2G, 1885. Serial No. 1%,(185. Nomodcl.)

T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, BENJAMIN VAN VRAN- KEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Flush-Tank Siphons; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and nse'the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in flush-tank siphons, and is designed to furnish a device which shall be of simple and economical construction, thoroughly effective in operation under the varying conditions of its use, and which will obviate the necessity, met with in prior apparatus having analogous functions, of frequent repair. For the attainment of these ends Ihave devised the construction illustrated in the accom panying drawings, wherein Figure 1 represents a side elevation, partly broken away, of one form of my invention. Fig. 2 represents a plan View of the same, the top of the siphon-tank being removed to better illustrate the disposition of parts. Fig. 8 represents a vertical cross-section th rough the siphon-tank and ti p-basin, the siphon-pipe being shown in elevation; and Fig. 4 represents a side elevation, partly broken away, of a modification of the device shown in the preceding figures.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

In the form illustrated in the firstthree figu res of the drawings, A indicates a tank, preferably of iron or of brick-work, and adapted to be contained within a larger cistern having the desired capacity required for the flushing operation. The tank A is inclosed upon all sides, and contains the longer arm, B, of a siphon, the shorter arm, B, of which is contained within the outer cistern. Upon its lower end the arm B is provided with pivot pins orlugsb, and upon the pins or lugs is suspended the tip-basin C. The said tip-basin is provided with serrated or toothed interior side lugs, 0, upon which the basin is hun Set-screws (1 upon cross-pieces (I, located at opposite sides of the arm B and upon the tipbasin, determine the extent of movement or play of the latter, and may be adjusted as desired, so as to permit of a greater or less in elination of the basin when tipped. sents the eXit-p ipe from the siphon-tank.

In Fig. 4- is represented a smaller tank, A, leading into a sewer-pipe, F. The siphoir arm B is leaded or cemented at its entrance into the tank. The construction of the tip basin and its means of attachment and adj nstment are'identical with that above described, and need not, therefore, be recapitulated.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The water contained within the tip-basin seals the mouth ofthe longer arm, B, of the siphon. As the water rises, therefore, in the outer cistern or space surrounding the siphon-tan k and attains the level of the mouth of the shorter arm, B, it begins to compress the body of air within the siphon-pipe. As the water continnes to rise, entering the short arm B, the compression of the imprisoned air within the siphon-pipe increases, and its pressure being greater than that of the atmosphere it results that the height of the water in the cistern continually exceeds the heightofthe water in said short arm. \Vhen the water in the short arm reaches the level of the bend of the pipe, therefore, the main body of water is at a higher level, as shown by the broken lines, Figs. 1 and 4. .At this period the water slowly trickles over into the longer arm, B, and entering the basin 0 tips it, suddenly re leasing the compressed air, whereupon the water rises instantlyin the short arm B to the level of the surrounding water, and, no longer retarded by the compressed air, pours down the longer arm, B, in full volume, thereby es tablishing the siphonage and emptying the cistern.

It will be readily seen that by the use of in y device a very small amount of water entering the ti p-basin suffices to set'the siphon in operation. This is an important consideration in sewer-tanks, which ordinarily are fed by a very'small stream. Siphons closed at their ends by valves have been found practically useless in such cases. Thus, where such valves become worn, or obstructed so as to admit air, the water entering the siphon will often escape as fast as it is admitted into the tank; or

E rcpreif the valve should for a time remain tight, which is-a condition almost impossible to secure, the water, as it slowly enters the long arm, will just relieve the valve slightly, and run out without starting the siphonage. Such valves, moreover, are in constant need of repair, and, by reason of the accuracy with which they must fit the end of the pipe, are difficult and costly to manufacture. The tip-basin obviates all of these defects, requiring no accurate adjustment or frequent repair, and is absolutely certain in its operation whatever the flow into main cisterns.

While I prefer the means illustrated for suspending the tip-basin and adjusting the same, it is evident that others may be substituted in their stead, accomplishing the same result. I do not wish, therefore, to be understood as restricting myself to these particular means, but contemplate in some instances using such others as are recognized as their mechanieal equivalents.

In testimony whereof I ai'fix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN VAN VRANKEN.

\Vitnesses:

WM. B. LAUDRETH, JOHN L. FITZ GERALD. 

